Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carol Cooke AM PLY. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Carol, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
Legacy is a concept that transcends mere material possessions or accomplishments; it’s about the impact we leave on the world and the lives of others long after we’re gone. For me, legacy isn’t about the number of years I’ve lived or the hurdles I’ve faced; it’s about the resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the limitless potential of the human spirit.
I firmly believe that age should never be a barrier to pursuing one’s dreams. Throughout my life, I’ve exemplified this philosophy by actively participating in international sports, even at the age of 62. Despite societal norms and expectations, I’ve refused to let a number dictate what I can or cannot achieve. Instead, I’ve embraced every opportunity to defy limitations and showcase the boundless capabilities of the human body and mind.
Moreover, I refuse to let illness define my identity. Yes, I have Multiple Sclerosis, but it’s just a facet of who I am, not the sum total. Instead of allowing it to overshadow my existence, I’ve embraced it as an integral part of my journey—one that has shaped me into the resilient, determined individual I am today. In fact, MS has afforded me unique opportunities that I might never have otherwise experienced. It has propelled me to become an author, an international speaker, and a Paralympian, allowing me to inspire others with my story of triumph over adversity.
Ultimately, my legacy is one of resilience, perseverance, and the unwavering belief that no obstacle is insurmountable. It’s about empowering others to defy expectations, embrace their true potential, and live life on their own terms. Whether through my words, actions, or achievements, I hope to leave behind a legacy that inspires others to dream boldly, live passionately, and never settle for anything less than their best selves.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I was born in Canada and after leaving school became a 3rd generation police officer on the Toronto Police Force. After 14 years of service I left for Australia to marry my husband Russ. In 1998 life was wonderful, I was climbing the corporate ladder, we had bought a house the year before and suddenly I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It took me a good 6 months to a year to come to terms with the fact that I was now living with a progressive chronic illness, I was 36 at the time.
In 2002 I had to leave fulltime employment due to my health. I was now using a wheelchair full time, but I continued on trying to find my place in this life and start a charity event called the 24 Hour Mega Swim. This swim went on to grow to other venue’s with all funds raised going to the MS Society (now called MS Plus) and which was given to people living with MS in the form of scholarships. When I stopped running the event in 2020 we had raised just over $11 million And I am proud to say that the events are still going.
I then found Para sport in 2005 through the World Masters Games. I had been a swimmer growing up and had continued swimming as a Master. In 2005 they had the first ever Para swimming at the World Games and I was able to get classified. I was then invited to Talent Search day by Paralympics Australia and after that day was asked to take up rowing. My rowing career took off in 2008 when my crew attempted to qualify for the Beijing Paralympics. Unfortunately we unsuccessful missing out by 0.8 of a second. But we did come 6th at the World Championships in 2009. I kept rowing but unfortunately politics came into play and as I kept being told I was too old to row…at 49, the coach of the Para program decided to give up on our crew.
In 2011 when we were ceremoniously dumped from the program I switched to Para Cycling. Not that I knew anything about cycling, but decided to just give it a go. I had a trike that I rode from home to rowing training and found out there was a trike category in the Paralympics. This was the start of an amazing career spanning 13 years (this is my last year I have decided). I won a gold medal in 2012 in London in the Road Time Trial, then 2 gold medals in 2016 in Rio in the Road Time Trial and Road Race. Then in Tokyo in 2021 at the age of 60 I won the silver medal in the Road Time Trial but unfortunately crashing in the Road Race. I am currently training and hope to make my 4th Paralympic Team for Paris this year.
In 2015 I wrote my first book “Cycle of LIfe” but then in 2016 I felt that I needed to add to it, so added a chapter and changed the title to “Finding Your Inner Gold”. In 2020 during lock down in the pandemic I wrote my second book “The Force Within – From Police Officer to Paralympian” and then in 2023 I collaborated with 44 other women around the world to write a book entitled “Voices of the 21st Century -Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose” which I am happy to say went to number 1 in 4 countries across 3 categories.
I started speaking for MS after my diagnosis and that has morphed into my business today as a Motivational and Inspirational Speaker. I speak to schools, universities and businesses but also at conferences and special events. I love helping people find The Force Within themselves
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I always believed that the goal or the destination of where you want to go was the most important thing in the world!
in 2008 as a Para rower we were training our butts off for the last qualification regatta for the Bejing Paralympics. The event was a World Cup in Germany just outside of Munich. I had started writing a blog about our goal of getting to the Paralympics. As I stated earlier in the final we missed qualifying by just 0.8 seconds and we were all devastated. When we got to the dock, my legs wouldn’t work and the crew wanted to go and get a wheelchair to assist me. I requested that they just get me out of the boat and leave me on the dock for a while, knowing I would eventually be able to get up. Once they did that and left me there I cried like a baby. At that point I figured my foray into Paralympic sport was over, I was 47 years old and had been constantly told my the coach that I was getting too old.
That night I wrote a follow up blog to my followers apologising for the crew not making the games, writing how disappointed we all were and that it was probably the end of my rowing career. I received a reply the next day from my sister who reminded me that it was not the destination that mattered. I had taken her on an amazing journey and that was more important. If I loved rowing I should just keep rowing and not worry about making teams or any destination, just enjoy the journey for what it was. She was so right.
I decided that I had to put that one row out of my mind and continue to enjoy the feeling of being on the water, enjoy working in unison with others to make a boat move. Because of just concentrating on the journey and not a destination I began to row better and the following year made the team again (yes same coach – even though I was a year older!) and we came 6th at the World Championships.
What this taught me was to never underestimate myself and never listen to people who don’t believe in your abilities. It helped to build my resilience and in turn make me believe more in myself. And I have
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carolcooke.com.au/
- Instagram: @cazcooke61
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.cooke.921/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-cooke-am-ply-a728201b/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0VAgLlKXo7HmMufp5fnvOA